BASF Agricultural Solutions to acquire biological insect control group AgBiTech

• BASF to take full ownership of AgBiTech Group, with closing anticipated during the first half of 2026
• Acquisition to enable BASF to offer farmers an urgently needed differentiated solution for controlling insects, particularly in Brazil

BASF Agricultural Solutions has reached an agreement with private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners and other shareholders to acquire its portfolio group, AgBiTech, which specializes in biological insect control solutions. BASF will assume full ownership of AgBiTech, including all assets such as portfolio, intellectual property rights, manufacturing operations, as well as research and development facilities, and personnel. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first half of 2026, subject to approval by the competent authorities. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the financial and commercial terms of the agreement.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AgBiTech has pioneered the use of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) technology to develop insect control solutions based on naturally occurring viruses. With operations in Brazil, the United States, and Australia, the company serves farmers growing soybean, corn and cotton as well as specialty crops.

“AgBiTech has a strong track record of developing solutions designed to help farmers manage insect pests effectively. We are excited to see this technology complement our existing BioSolutions portfolio, as it underscores our commitment to a more sustainable, holistic approach to agriculture in line with our business strategy,” said Livio Tedeschi, President of BASF Agricultural Solutions.

“Brazil is one of the fastest-growing markets for biological crop protection. This planned acquisition is a consequent step in executing our strategy that strengthens our presence as an integrated solution provider in this highly relevant segment,” said Marko Grozdanovic, Senior Vice President Global Strategic Marketing & Sustainability at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Yield-robbing chewing insects, especially lepidoptera caterpillars, have long been concerns for Brazilian farmers, who have come to know AgBiTech’s technology as an additional solution for addressing these,” explained Sergi Vizoso-Sansano, Senior Vice President Latin America at BASF Agricultural Solutions.

BASF’s BioSolutions portfolio covers a range of biological products to help farmers protect crops from diseases and insects, reduce residues, manage resistance, increase stress tolerance and extend the windows of disease and pest protection, complementing chemical treatments within Integrated Pest Management programs.

About BASF Agricultural Solutions
Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €919 million in 2024, we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2024, BASF Agricultural Solutions generated sales of €9.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About AgBiTech
AgBiTech is a global leader in biological pest control, specializing in products that use naturally occurring viruses to manage caterpillar pests in major row crops. Founded in Australia in 2000 by a farmer and a scientist, the company now has a global presence with manufacturing facilities in the USA, Australia, and Brazil, and products are used in countries across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. AgBiTech's mission is to make farming more profitable and sustainable by providing effective, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides.

About Paine Schwartz Partners
Paine Schwartz Partners is the largest private equity firm dedicated to sustainable food chain investing, with ~$6.5 billion of AUM and over 20 years of experience. The firm invests across specific segments of the food and agribusiness value chain, with a focus on two core investment themes: productivity and sustainability and health and wellness. Through its proactive, thesis-driven approach, the firm targets value-added and differentiated companies and makes primarily control buyout investments, with a smaller allocation to growth companies. Learn more at www.paineschwartz.com.

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